Tom Jones is a pretty common name in Wales, where I’m from.
I’m not even the first Tom Jones in my family; my father’s grandfather was a Thomas John Jones. He was friends with my great grandfather on my mum’s side, who was also a Thomas.
Safe to say, I never grew up thinking I was named after the Tom Jones. Especially as my full name is Tomos.
The first time anyone made a joke about me being a ‘sex bomb’, I was about 16 or 17 and in college. I knew who Tom Jones was, and was familiar with his songs, but no one had put two and two together in the past.
Before that, everyone had known me by my middle name, Emlyn. I had been at a small, mostly Welsh speaking school, and Tomos Emlyn was likely easier to pronounce than Jones.
The move to college and new introductions were also accompanied by Tom Jones joining The Voice as a judge, introducing him and his music to a new generation.
Without this, I’m not sure my name would have caused such a stir.
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Luckily, the novelty wore off for my new peers pretty sharpish. After that, I got a few giggles introducing myself at university in Aberystwyth from the English students, but the other Welsh freshers were a bit more sympathetic, which was nice.
The only times where it could be a bit grating was when tourists would sing What’s New Pussycat or It’s Not Unusual to me when they would pop into the chippie I worked at in Abersoch.
They’d laugh about my name, while pointing at my colleague who looks a bit like Ed Sheeran.
Then they’d get a second wind and comment on my passing resemblance to Dynamo.
We became used to the routine and each time we’d smile through gritted teeth and nod along while waiting for the conversation to run its course.
Aside from that, I don’t think it’s been too bad sharing a name with a famous person; after the initial recognition, people don’t really seem to care.
But that could be because Tom Jones isn’t too bad to share a name with.
I’m happy that, if I had to share a name with any celebrity, it’s a good Welsh guy. It doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about changing my name though.
Wales used to have a patronymic naming system where children would take their father’s first name as their surname. As a Welsh nationalist I’m toying with the idea of becoming Tomos Ap Emyr, which translates as Tomos, son of Emyr – my dad’s name.
I’ve been considering the change for a few years now and it’s the name I use on social media. I still think it’s something I’ll do in the future. In all honesty it’s the admin that’s prevented me from doing it already.
My mother fully supports the change and has even offered to pay the fees. My father passed away in 2016, but I like to think he would be happy about it.
I would like to be proud of my name, which is something I think this change would bring. At the minute, it’s hard to have pride in a name that is so common. But I’m lucky that I can distinguish myself a bit with the spelling of Tomos.
As for the famous Tom Jones, I never really think about him. I have no real desire to meet the guy and chat about sharing a name. It’s not like it’s really shaped my life at all.
No one’s ever mistaken me for him on the phone and I’ve never benefited from a case of mistaken identity. The most dramatic response my name garners now is a giggle.
I don’t really think much of the singer’s music either, although Delilah’s alright. One of his hits wouldn’t be my first choice at karaoke (it would be Stereophonics’ Dakota).
Either way, I don’t think I’d get anyone chucking their knickers at me.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/14/hello-name-tom-jones-12698515/
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